Last
Will and Testament of John Branson
September 1, 1769
Be it known to all persons whom it may concern
that I, John Branson, of the County of Frederick & Colony of
Virginia being under a sense of the mortality of my body do take
this opportunity in weakness of body but of sound and perfect
mind and memory to make and commit unto writing this my last will
and testament. Utterly disannuling all others by me heretofore
made do constitute, publish and appoint this to be my last will
and testament. First, it is my will and I do order that all my
just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my moveable
estates. Also it is my will and I do order that my beloved wife,
Martha Branson, shall have and keep (possible pursation ?) of the
plantation I now live on and all the moveable estate. Paying the
legacies hereunder mentioned, (viz?) I will and bequeath to my
beloved son, Thomas Branson, five pounds. Also my wearing
apparel. I have bestowed Thomas portion (befour?). I will and
bequeath to my beloved daughter, Anna Shinn, the sum of Fifty
Pounds. I give to Mary Duckworth, the wife of John Duckworth, the
sum of five shillings sterling. I give and bequeath to my beloved
daughter, Elizabeth Corder, forty-one acres of land I purchased
of Joseph Baker and fifty nine acres of land adjoining the same
it being part of a survey of land I obtained from the proprietors
office to have the said lands their heirs or assigns forever.
Item I will and bequeath to my beloved daughter Martha Fawcet one
half of the plantation I now live on after the decease of my
beloved wife adjoining my daughter Elizabeth's land. Also fifty
acres of the remainder of the survey Elizabeth's had fifty nine
acres from equally to be lived in quantity and to her and her
heirs and assigns forever. Item I will and bequeath to my
grandson John Branson the other half of the above plantation I
now live on after the decease of my beloved wife to his heirs and
assigns forever. It is my will that if my executors sees it too
difficult for them to divide the said land between my Daughter
Martha and my Grandson, John Branson, I request and desire
Hopewell Monthly Meeting to appoint three or more persons to
adjust my (Exors?) Whose judgment is to be final. By agreement
with John Painter, Sen. about a survey of land that did join to
both he is to have one half by paying one half of cost of survey
and the other half I give to my grandson John Branson and I do
make ordain and constitute my well beloved wife Martha Branson
and my son-in-law Thomas Fawcett and John Lupton executors of
this my last will and testament and I do hereby disallow
(beroke?) and disannul all and every testament will executors by
me before this time in any ways will and requested ratifying and
confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In
witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the first day of the
ninth month 1769. Signed sealed published and declared by the
said John Branson as his last will and testament in presence of
Mary Ellis and Andrew McKay.
Signed John BRANSON (S.S.)
At a court held for Frederick County November 6th 1770 this last
will and testament of John Branson, deceased, was proved by the
oaths of Mary Ellis and Andrew McKay witnesses thereto and
ordered to be recorded. John Lupton one of the executors therein
named having refused to take upon himself the burden of the
execution Martha Branson and Thomas Faucett the other executors
made oath thereto and upon their motion certificate is granted
them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form they giving
security whereupon they together with Andrew McKay and Richard
Ridway their securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in
the penalty of five hundred pounds conditioned for their due and
faithful administration of the said estate.
By the court, Ja Keith Cole (?)
NOTE:
John Day Branson was born in 1704 in Burlington Co, New Jersey.
He died in 1769 in Frederick Co., Virginia at the age 65.